Engine-2 arrived on scene with heavy fire showing from the second floor of a five story building, 150x75. All companies in service. B/C-8 requested the second alarm and shortly afterward requested the third alarm. Companies in service with heaviest water lines. Command reported fire had extend to the upper floor and through the roof. The fire also extended to an exposure building. Fourth and fifth alarm struck simultaneously. All companies placed in service with heaviest water lines. Fire was placed under control at 0057hrs.

Sounds like Engine 45 would have been first due, but they were down on the rolling Brownouts. Not sure with the amount of fire it would have mattered. They are still on scene at this time.

Negative. The box was Emerald/York, would be about 2000 E. York St.
E45 is at 26/York Sts., would be about 2500 W York St, 3.5 miles away. They maybe would have gone on the 2nd.

However, during the 5 alarmer, there was a fatal dwelling fire around 17th/Allegheny - 1.5 miles away from E45. E45 might not have been 1st in but would have been on that box. Instead, the first due engine (E51) for the fatal came from Broad/Champlost, 3.3 miles away; 2nd due was E40, (stationed at 65th/Woodland 10.5 miles away) I think they were en route to a cover up, or already covering up; not sure of their position at time of dispatch.

Also there were two working fires in West Philly, one about 2:45 AM at 48th/Parrish with 5 rescues including a 1 y/o boy. Another at Preston/Brown (about 3:11 AM) went defensive from start because there were no ladders available due to the other jobs, and CUTS BOTH PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY. L9 was temporarily closed last night, normally would have been 2nd due at Preston/Brown; probably 1st in last night. Eventually Rescue 1 and Squad 47 pressed into service as ladder cos. Ironically, L14 was dispatched first in on the assignment - the same L14 sationed with the aforementioned E45 at 26/York, 3.5 miles away; there's some kinda circle of life here...

City wound up recalling FFs to man at least 2 reserve engines. These happened BEFORE the two W. Philly jobs came in. The last time I remember this happening was when we had a 7 alarmer during a snow storm; but the cuts are safe, that's what the administration keeps telling me.